Law Day at North Dade Justice Center marks
50th anniversary of 'Brown v. Board of Education'
By Bari Auerbach

U.S. Rep. Carrie Meek (ret.) and Merrett Stierheim, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, were keynote speakers during the sixth annual "Law Day" event marking the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education - the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case ruling state-sanctioned segregation of public schools unconstitutional.

Law Day, presented by the judges of the North Dade Justice Center, the Aventura Marketing Council, Haitian Lawyers Association and North Dade Bar Association, was held in conjunction with "Law Week" - observed nationally every year in May to help promote a greater understanding of the American justice system.

Declaring Law Day officially in session, associate administrative judge Linda Singer-Stein introduced event co-chairs Judge Sheldon Schwartz, Judge Myriam Lehr, Judge Martin Shapiro, Judge Raphael Steinhardt, and Judge Jacqueline Schwartz.

Many special guests in attendance included legal professionals, elected officials from cities including Sunny Isles Beach, law enforcement and community leaders. Students from Krop Sr. High, the Aventura Charter Elementary School and Vankara Academy also attended the educational event along with North Dade Bar Association Law Day essay contest winners from Highland Oaks Middle, John F. Kennedy Middle and Miami Shores Barry University Charter School.

Following the introduction of the Krop Navy JROTC Honor Guard and invocation presented by North Miami Beach Mayor Jeffrey Mishcon, an impressive rendition of the National Anthem was sung by Ariel Snihur of VAB Highland Oaks Elementary and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by bailiffs of the North Dade Justice Center.

The program turned to "equality by law" as Meek took the podium and shared what her life was like as a young girl growing up in Tallahassee during the era of segregation. "My experiences helped me understand what Brown v. Board of Education means to children of today," Meek said. "Brown told the world that everyone needs equal protection under the law and they must be given equal opportunities.

"The case petty much ended racial segregation in our schools and turned our country around.We see the benefits today in education, civil rights, voting rights, housing and economic development.Let us not go backward - but forward and be happy that we are citizens of America, the greatest country in the world, founded on freedom and democracy."

Concurring with Meek's sentiments, Stierheim said he fully realizes and appreciates the importance of the Brown decision and the need to continue to support its purpose and intent.

"It is now the responsibility of the School Board and administration to maintain a unitary [public school] system and I think we've done a very good job with this challenging assignment," Stierhiem said. "During my tenure as Superintendent, I have consistently worked to maintain multi-cultural student involvement and educational achievement.With the approval of the School Board, we created the office of Civil Rights and Diversity Compliance, designed to ensure that equity in educating our diverse population [of 370,000 students] continues to be at the top of our priority list."

Before Law Day concluded, seventh grade Highland Oaks Middle student Julian Murphy, first place winner of the North Dade Bar Association's essay contest, shared his position on affirmative action: "I think it helps people who do not have the same opportunities and resources for a better education.On the other hand, it's unfair that there are some who meet the qualifications but are squeezed out of positions filled by minorities.The solution to the problem is to improve all schools so all children have equal opportunities. It is a hard balance we need to work on, but until this happens I think we need affirmative action."
 

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